Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc

Posted by frgoe on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @07:58AM
from the ask-hn dept.

I am studying chemical engineering in my masters and am currently on the hunt for an internship next semester. I am located in Switzerland/Germany and right now have offers from two big chemical companies (BASF, Bayer).

Here is the thing. The one that interests me the most, is in a horrible location. I would have to relocate (that's OK with me), but there is also nothing, no bigger city or so, in a 100 km radius. However, the topic really resonates with my current interests. It's about utilizing black box ML to optimize plant performance. Since I have been exploring CS/programming a lot lately, this would potentially be a great fit. The other one is in a better location (would still have to relocate), but the topic sounds a bit off (no real connection to ChemE).

Both internships would be for 3–4 months. How would you approach this situation? I am not really hyped to spend the entire summer at some remote plant just working my ass off. Would you take one of the offers, or wait until something else might come around? Any other tips/insights?

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by tsewlliw on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @08:07AM (#34245077)

Make friends. With friends you can make fun anywhere.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by frgoe on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @09:04AM (#34245595)

So you would take the opportunity?

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by tsewlliw on Thursday January 05, 2023 @04:13AM (#34257647)

Would I as a 40 year old middle manager in Texas take a shot at living in rural central Europe for 4 months to work on ML for factory automation? Might feel lonely because I probably wouldn't move my family with me and take my kid out of school, but yes, that sounds like fun, like a great chapter in a life well lived.

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by pettycashstash2 on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @08:21AM (#34245207)

One word. Priorities.

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by frgoe on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @09:08AM (#34245627)

Agreed. Would be a great opportunity career wise (and for the CV I guess) and also in terms of potential learnings. Would you trade that for three months in 'solitude' at this age (early twenties)?

Re:Ask HN: Great internship at shitty loc by yuppie_scum on Wednesday January 04, 2023 @09:22AM (#34245768)

Suck it up for 3-4 months buttercup